Double tracker mechanism.



T. P. BROWBT. DOUBLE-TRACKER MECHANISM. APPLICATION FILED 5119.13, 1008.

Patented Apr. 27, 1909.

- UNITE STA .A' W FFICE:

. THEODOREP. BROW'N, OF WOROESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO SIMPLEXPIANO PLAYER 00., OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OFMASSACHUSETTS.

To all whom it may concern: I v Be it known that I, THEODORE P. BROWN,

DOUBLE TRACKER MECHANISM.

a'citizen of the United States, residing at lVorcest'er, in the countyof lVorcester and State of Massachusetts,-have invented a new and usefulDouble Tracker Mechanism, of which-the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of pneumatic musical instruments inwhich a perforated note sheet controls the operation by passing over atracker, and more specifically to that form in which two or moretrackers are em loyed to permit the use of note sheets per orated forplaying diii'erent numbers of notes. I am aware that several forms ofmechanism have been devised for this purpose, but the principal objectsof this invention are to' provide a construction in which the trackersshall have a simple movement, in which .themechanism shall be simple andeffective, and in which there will 'benovcomplicatedmechanism to keep inorder, to provide a single cap movable so as to cover the channels ofthe idle tracker, and move it back, to provide a guide therefor, and alock on the cap for holding both trackers, one in operative and theother in inoperative position, to provide simple means in the trackerbox whereby the motion of either tracker will cause the other to moveoppositely, and generally to improve and s mplify this class of musicalinstruments.

'Reference is to be had to, the accompanying drawings in which,

Figure 1'-is a front view of a tracker box showing one Way in which thisinvention 'may be applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary front view on an enlarged scale. Fig. 3 is atransverse sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4: is an insideend view partly in section, with parts of the trackers. removed. Fig. 5is a sectional view of the tracker cap and associated parts, and

Fig. 6 is a front view of a channel board at the rear of the trackers.

This invention is shown as applied to a tracker box 10 whichhasparallel. horizontal ways 11 thereon for receiving and guiding plates 12and 13 projecting from two trackcrs 14 and 15 so that the lattermayfrecipro cate. The plate 12 on the upper tracker 14 extends to therear of the box and forms a.

cover for the rest of the mechanism in all its positions. Thetrackersmay be of any desired construction, two forms being shown.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 13, 1908. Serial No. 448,809

Patented April 27, 1909.

They are provided with different numbers of note channels, connected byflexible tubes 16 and 17 with tubes fixed in a ,chaimel board 18 whichhas channels 19 connected with the action. As there are more of one setof tracker channels than of the other, all those of the largervset areconnected with their respective channels 19, and the other set areconnected with those of the channels 19 which corres ond to the notesthey represent, as will rea ily be fnnderstood.

Locatedon the inner sides of the walls of the tracker box are guidegrooves 20, preferably formed in removable metal plates 21, set into thesides. A cap 22 for the trackers is mounted between these grooves and isprovided with end pins 23 by which it islguided to move alongthegrooves. Both of the pins 23 are reciprocable and spring pressed and thegrooves have notches 24: at each end to receive them, so located. thatwhen the cap is moved back toward the rear, the pins will enter thenotches and automatically lock the cap in position. The grooves areshown as of a U-sha e, the two legs thereof being in line with t cdirection of motion of the respective trackers. The cap is manipulatedby two handles 25, fixed to the pins 23, so' that the cap can readily beunlocked and drawn out. The cap also is used to move the trackers simplyby pressm 1tinwardly against one of them. This resu ts in moving bothtrackers, as the one forced in, moves the other out, through a which islocated in-the ox and engages the rear vends. of both trackers. 'Itsoperation will be obvious. A It is to be observed that the automaticlocking of the cap also causes both trackers to be locked or fixedinposition.

While I have illustrated and described a preferred form of theinvention, I am aware that many modifications may be made there.

in without departing from the scope. of the invention as ex ressed 1nthe claims, therefore, I do not w sh to belimited to all'the de tailsshown, but 4 I What I doclaim is t 1. The combination with a pluralityof movable trackers. of a cap therefor, and a guide for guiding the capfrom one tracker to another.

2. The combination with a plurality of "movable trackers, of a captherefor, a guide forguiding the cap from one tracker to another, andmeans whereby when the cap is ivoted member 26,

. trackers, of a cap therefor, means for guid- )i-essed against onetracker. the other tracker will move outwardly. r F

3. The combination with a plurality ot" movable trackers. of a captherefor, a guide for guiding the cap from one tracker to another, meanswhereby when the cap is pressed against one tracker, the other trackerwill move outwardly, and means for automatically locking the cap at itsextreme position, whereby both trackers will be locked in their extremepositions.

l. The vcoriibination with two movable trackers, of a cap therefor,means for guiding the cap from one tracker to the other, and means forautomatically locking the cap when itreaches either extreme position.

5. The combination with two movable ing. the cap from one tracker to theother, means "for automatically locking the cap when it reaches eitherextreme position, said locking means comprising a spring pressed boltonthe cap, find a handle therefor projet-ting from the front of the capby which I the cap may be manipulated. v

(5. The combination with a movable tracker of a. cap thereforand meanson the cap for locking the tracker.

i. A tracker box having a tracker. guidw on the sides of the box, and acap for the tracker movable along said guides.

A tracker box having guides on the v of one tracker will force the otherout into op native position.

10. The coml' 'nation of a tracker box having grooves .in its innerwalls, two reciprocating trackers adjacent to'the grooves, a tiltingmember in the box engagingboth trackers, and constituting means wherebywhen one tracker is pushed in the other will be forced out intooperative position, acap movable along said groove to cover either ofthe trackers, and means for locking the cap against either tracker whenpushed in.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses. p

T] Il*1()l)()l l'1 l. BROWN.

\Yitnesses:

Aiilnin'r E. FAY, M Anv l). REGAN,

